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scholastic_squid's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
To-do women hosting their Lunch Club to discuss literature, philosophy, culture, etc. their current discussion is one of Osric Dane — an author of great distinction in their mind — and her novel called The Wings of Death. Have any of the attendees read the book? Well of course! Except one which is a travesty. But have they really read it? Oh yes, they take to it swimmingly naturally, and they’re all about ethics but which ethics? They cannot say because they’re so engrossed in Xingu. What’s Xingu? Oh they’ll tell you.. or will they?
Hilarious depiction of the well-to-do pretending they know something on every important topic.
Hilarious depiction of the well-to-do pretending they know something on every important topic.
philosopher_kj's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
susytore's review against another edition
5.0
Splendido e gradevolissimo racconto carico di ironia. Andate a recuperarlo! :)
mj1996's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
youngling80's review against another edition
funny
4.5
After reading some heavy hitters, Edith Wharton's short story, Xingu 1916 , was the perfect bit of satire for a palate cleanser.
It's the story of a Lunch Club , a group of self-proclaimed "...indomitable huntresses of erudition," who spend a great deal of time feeling their own self-importance and mentally comparing their own offerings to the group against that of the other members. At current, they are worrying over whether all of their members will have enough clever things to say to a future guest, Osric Dane (a celebrated author) , who will be joining them while they discuss her newest book. Upon her arrival, the author's truculence spurs the ladies into a near panic ("The desire to propitiate a divinity is generally in inverse ratio to its responsiveness, and the sense of discouragement produced by Osric Dane's entrance visibly increased the Lunch Club's eagerness to please her. ), until one of their less highly regarded members begins to discuss the club's great interest in Xingu. This finally appears to bait the author. The other ladies of the Lunch Club are forced to fumble their way through the discussion, having no remembrance of this Xingu ( Is it a book? Is it a religion? Is it a philosophy? ). The result is a comic display of pretense.
It was a delightful social commentary that had me chuckling and rolling my eyes in amusement throughout. (And at 28 pages, it's an easy investment if you're unsure it would interest you.)
It's the story of a Lunch Club , a group of self-proclaimed "...indomitable huntresses of erudition," who spend a great deal of time feeling their own self-importance and mentally comparing their own offerings to the group against that of the other members. At current, they are worrying over whether all of their members will have enough clever things to say to a future guest, Osric Dane (a celebrated author) , who will be joining them while they discuss her newest book. Upon her arrival, the author's truculence spurs the ladies into a near panic ("The desire to propitiate a divinity is generally in inverse ratio to its responsiveness, and the sense of discouragement produced by Osric Dane's entrance visibly increased the Lunch Club's eagerness to please her. ), until one of their less highly regarded members begins to discuss the club's great interest in Xingu. This finally appears to bait the author. The other ladies of the Lunch Club are forced to fumble their way through the discussion, having no remembrance of this Xingu ( Is it a book? Is it a religion? Is it a philosophy? ). The result is a comic display of pretense.
It was a delightful social commentary that had me chuckling and rolling my eyes in amusement throughout. (And at 28 pages, it's an easy investment if you're unsure it would interest you.)
prynne31's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
boliak_1014's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
An interesting social commentary on the education and social awareness of upper-class society women.